Couple Finds Dream Home in Dallas Amid Uncertain Times

Ryan Ragsdale and Jared Stepp overcame long distance to build a life together in Oak Cliff.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 10:39am

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After a year of long-distance dating, Ryan Ragsdale and Jared Stepp decided to take the next step and move in together in Dallas. The couple faced challenges finding the perfect home, but ultimately settled on a Tudor cottage in the Beckley Club Estates neighborhood, surrounded by wild peacocks. Their wedding plans were also impacted by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, leading them to quickly marry in their new backyard before the court potentially reconsidered other landmark rulings.

Why it matters

This story highlights the resilience of LGBTQ+ couples in the face of political uncertainty, as well as the ongoing housing challenges faced by first-time homebuyers in desirable neighborhoods like Highland Park. It also showcases the vibrant LGBTQ+ community in Dallas that has provided a safe and supportive environment for the couple.

The details

Ragsdale and Stepp met in 2017 and spent their first year of dating doing long-distance, with Ragsdale frequently driving from East Texas to Dallas to visit Stepp. Despite the distance, the couple felt their relationship only grew stronger. When they decided to take the next step and move in together, they searched for the perfect home, ultimately settling on a Tudor cottage in the Beckley Club Estates neighborhood of Oak Cliff. Their home search was influenced by the rapid demolition of historic homes in nearby Highland Park. The couple's wedding plans were also impacted by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, leading them to quickly marry in their new backyard before the court potentially reconsidered other landmark rulings like Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage.

  • Ragsdale and Stepp met in 2017.
  • The couple spent their first year of dating doing long-distance.
  • Ragsdale and Stepp decided to move in together in 2019.
  • The couple purchased their first home in Oak Cliff in 2022.
  • Ragsdale and Stepp married in their new backyard in 2022, shortly after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

The players

Ryan Ragsdale

One half of the couple who met Jared Stepp in 2017 and spent their first year of dating doing long-distance before moving in together in Dallas.

Jared Stepp

The other half of the couple who met Ryan Ragsdale in 2017 and spent their first year of dating doing long-distance before moving in together in Dallas.

Michael Mahon

The couple's real estate agent who helped guide them through the neighborhoods of Oak Cliff to find their dream home.

Justice Clarence Thomas

The Supreme Court justice whose concurring opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization raised concerns for the couple's engagement and upcoming wedding.

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What they’re saying

“We realized this is what we both wanted, and it worked out. Honestly, it made our relationship stronger by being long distance for a year, just because you didn't have to have that constant like seeing each other and everything. Like, you kind of were able to build a relationship, but still be independent in your own city for a while.”

— Jared Stepp (advocatemag.com)

“After our marriage, we ended up turning in our marriage certificate at the courthouse Downtown. I can't tell you how many other gay couples I saw also who had clearly, recently decided that they needed to get married before the Supreme Court started back up again, just to be safe, just in case.”

— Jared Stepp (advocatemag.com)

What’s next

The couple remains optimistic about the future and feels safe in their new Dallas community, despite the uncertain political climate.

The takeaway

This story showcases the resilience and determination of LGBTQ+ couples like Ryan Ragsdale and Jared Stepp, who overcame long-distance challenges and housing obstacles to build a life together in Dallas, even as they navigated the uncertainty of the Supreme Court's potential reconsideration of landmark rulings on same-sex marriage.